- LOCAL BUSINESS TAX
Section
Section
Section
For purposes of this chapter, the following words and terms are defined as follows.
CITY. The City of Cape Coral, Florida.
COUNCIL and CITY COUNCIL. The City Council of Cape Coral, Florida.
EMPLOYEES. In classifications wherein the fee is based on the number of employees, the number shall include the owner, president, contractor or principal person in the firm, company, corporation or association as well as each person on the payroll. Part-time employees who are employed 20 or more hours per week shall be included in the calculation of number of employees. If, at any time during the business tax year, the number of employees increases more than 50%, the Licensing/Business Tax Division should be notified and the local business tax receipt amended accordingly with any additional fees on a pro rata basis.
(Ord. 9-72, § A, 9-1-1972; Ord. 38-81, § 1, 7-20-1981; Ord. 15-87, § 1, 4-20-1987)
ENGAGED IN BUSINESS. For the purposes of this chapter, any person identified to the public, at a given location, by sign, printed matter, classified section, telephone directory or city directory, as offering services or property to the public, regardless of whether such person actually transacts any business or practices a profession, shall be considered as engaging in business and shall be liable for a local business tax receipt therefor.
LICENSING/BUSINESS TAX DIVISION. The Licensing/Business Tax Division of the Department of the City Clerk of Cape Coral, Florida.
(Ord. 86-89, 2-12-1990; Ord. 81-02, 8-26-2002)
MERCHANDISE. Any goods, wares, commodities and items offered for sale, and shall include any services or labor rendered by the seller in respect of the goods which is included in the sale price thereof.
MERCHANT. Manufacturers, distributors and all dealers in merchandise unless specifically classified otherwise in this chapter.
MERCHANT, RETAIL. Any person who sells merchandise to a consumer or for any purpose other than for resale.
MERCHANT, WHOLESALE. Any person who sells to another person merchandise for resale.
PERSON. Individuals, firms, associations, partnerships, bodies politic and corporations and the singular shall, when appropriate, include the plural and the plural, the singular. The gender referred to herein shall be male or female.
RESIDENT. Any person who has established a home (rental or ownership) within the corporate limits of the City of Cape Coral, Florida, and has lived there for a period of 30 days immediately prior to the date of application for a license or local business tax receipt, and who intends to continue as a resident of Cape Coral, Florida.
(Ord. 9-72, § A, 9-1-1972
Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
A local business tax is hereby levied upon, and shall be collected from, every person exercising the privilege of or carrying on or engaging in or managing any business, profession or occupation herein enumerated, as fixed hereinafter. Each of the amounts, unless otherwise stated, shall be the amount or amounts payable as a local business tax for exercising the privilege of carrying on or engaging in the business, profession or occupation. It shall be unlawful for any person to carry on or engage in any business, profession or occupation unless expressly exempt therefrom by law or this chapter, without having paid the local business tax, as provided in this chapter, and otherwise complied with the terms thereof. The procurement of an appropriate local business tax receipt, subsequent to the date of citation for failure to obtain an appropriate local business tax receipt, shall not operate to mitigate or diminish the fine for failing to obtain the local business tax receipt prior to citation. When a business tax is required by persons employed by any business, the owner of the business is required to advise the Licensing/BusinessTax Division, in writing, of the names and addresses of the employees. This requirement applies to currently employed persons, as well as persons subsequently employed.
(Ord. 9-72, § B, 9-1-1972; Ord. 46-81, § 1, 8-3-1981; Ord. 15-87, § 1, 4-20-1987; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
(a)
General. Local business tax receipts shall be issued by the License/Business Tax Division of the City Clerk beginning on September 1 of each year and shall be due and payable on or before September 30 of each year and shall expire on September 30 of the succeeding year. In the event that September 30 falls on a weekend or holiday, the tax shall be due and payable on or before the first working day following September 30. If a business, profession or occupation is commenced after September 30, the business tax for the current year must be paid prior to commencing the business, profession or occupation.
(Ord. 58-93, 9-27-1993; Ord. 81-02, 8-26-2002)
(b)
Transferable.
(1)
Local business tax receipts, except professional (such as doctors, lawyers and the like) and personal (such as barbers, agents and the like) issued by the City of Cape Coral shall be transferable, where a bona fide sale of business is made upon compliance with the following conditions: an application must be filed with the Licensing/Business Tax Division on a form to be prescribed by the city and executed by the present receipt holder as transferor and the proposed new holder as transferee, and payment to the Licensing/Business Tax Division, at the time of filing of the application for transfer, of a transfer fee of $3. If the transfer is approved, the fee will be retained by the city, but if the transfer is denied, said transfer fee will be refunded. If the application for transfer is not executed by the transferee, the application for local business tax receipt will be treated as a new business and the appropriate charge will be levied.
(2)
Upon presentation of the original local business tax receipt, any local business tax receipt may be transferred from one location to another location within the city upon payment of a transfer fee of $3.
(3)
Upon written request and presentation of the original local business tax receipt, any receipt holder may have the name of the business changed provided the ownership and location remain the same, upon the payment of a fee of $3.
(4)
Associates, who individually pay a local business tax, in any business transferring the business tax receipt by virtue of a sale of the business, relocation or name change shall be charged a fee of $3 for the issuance of an amended local business tax receipt to reflect the change.
(Ord. 9-72, § C, 9-1-1972; Ord. 9-A-72, § 1, 8-13-1973; Ord. 89-76, § 1, 11-1-1976; Ord. 44-77, § 1, 7-18-1977; Ord. 38-80, § 1, 8-18-1980; Ord. 77-80, § 1, 1-5-1981; Ord. 46-81, § 2, 8-3-1981; Ord. 15-87, § 1, 4-20-1987; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
When a business, profession or occupation requiring a business tax is started after the first quarter of a fiscal year, the tax will be computed on a quarterly basis.
(Ord. 9-72, § D, 9-1-1972; Ord. 9A-72, § 1, 8-13-1973; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
Every person engaged in a business, profession or occupation subject to the provisions of this chapter, which business, profession or occupation is conducted at or from a fixed placed of business in the City of Cape Coral, Florida, shall keep the local business tax receipt issued therefor posted in a conspicuous place upon the taxed item or in the premises at or from which the business is conducted.
(Ord. 9-72, § E, 9-1-1972; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
Every person engaged in any business, profession or occupation subject to the provisions of this chapter, but not operating from a fixed place of business within the city, shall keep the local business tax receipt issued therefor upon his or her person and, in the event the business is conducted from a vehicle, in a conspicuous place in or on the vehicle at all times while engaged in the business for which it is issued.
(Ord. 9-72, § F, 9-1-1972; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
The business taxes imposed by this chapter shall not be construed to exempt the property used in the taxed business from other forms of taxation.
(Ord. 9-72, § G, 9-1-1972; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
(a)
Vehicles used by any person taxed under F.S. Chapter 205 for the sale and delivery of tangible personal property at either wholesale or retail from his or her place of business on which business tax is paid;
(Ord. 58-93, 9-27-1993)
(b)
Disabled persons, the aged, and widows with minor dependents, subject to the limitations contained in F.S. § 205.162;
(Ord. 58-93, 9-27-1993)
(c)
Disabled war veterans and their unremarried spouses, subject to the limitations contained in F.S. § 205.171; and
(d)
Charitable, religious, fraternal and service organizations, subject to the limitations contained in F.S. § 205.192.
(Ord. 58-93, 9-27-1993)
(Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
(a)
Each person required to pay a business tax by this chapter shall report, under oath, to the Licensing/Business Tax Division giving all the information necessary for a proper determination of the amount of the business tax payable. In the case of retail and wholesale merchants, manufacturers and distributors, the report shall show the total square footage, including space used for display (except sidewalk), washrooms, offices, storage, assembly, preparation and/or growing for sale, sales area and the like.
(b)
The Licensing/Business Tax Division is authorized to furnish forms for filing of the report or returns and to require the applicant for local business tax receipt to furnish information necessary for the Licensing/Business Tax Division to make a determination of the proper business tax payable, and to make investigation and inspection of the place of business and the records of the business as he or she may deem necessary to verify or determine the amount of business tax payable.
(Ord. 9-72, § 1, 9-1-1972; Ord. 15-87, § 1, 4-20-1987; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
Any person operating a business for which a local business tax receipt is required at more than one location, each separate location shall be considered a separate business and a separate local business tax receipt required for each location, unless otherwise provided in this chapter.
(Ord. 9-72, § J, 9-1-1972; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
Whenever a business falls into two or more classifications contained in the business tax schedule, the business must comply with the requirements of each classification, except that a business tax shall be paid only in respect to the primary or main business unless otherwise specified in the business tax schedule.
(Ord. 9-72, § K, 9-1-1972; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
(a)
Those local business tax receipts not renewed by September 30 shall be considered delinquent and subject to a delinquency penalty of 10% for the month of October plus an additional 5% penalty for each month of delinquency thereafter until paid; provided, that the total delinquency penalty shall not exceed 25% of the business tax for the delinquent establishment.
(b)
Any person engaging in or managing any business, professional or occupation without first obtaining a local business tax receipt, if required hereunder, shall be subject to a penalty of 25% of the business tax determined to be due, in addition to any other penalty provided by law or ordinance.
(Ord. 9-72, § 1, 9-1-1972; Ord. 9A-72, § 1, 8-13-1973; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
Every person who applies for a local business tax receipt to engage in any business, profession or occupation shall, prior to receiving a local business tax receipt, present evidence satisfactory to the Business Tax Division Clerk of compliance with all applicable state laws in respect to engaging in the business, profession or occupation; and that the premises upon which the business will be operated complies with all zoning and other city ordinances.
(Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
Any local business tax receipt obtained under the provisions of this chapter upon a misrepresentation of a material fact; or conviction of the licensee for violation of the criminal law of Florida in connection with the operation of the business for which the city has issued a local business tax receipt; or failure of local business tax receipt holder to comply immediately with county Health Department rules and regulations, after being notified by the county Health Department that the local business tax receipt holder and/or his or her premises or business does not so comply, the City Council may, in its discretion, after giving the local business tax receipt holder 15 days notice in writing in which to show cause why the local business tax receipt should not be terminated, terminate the same. In the event a local business tax receipt is terminated for either of the above reasons, the local business tax receipt holder shall not be entitled to a return of any part of the local business tax paid.
(Ord. 9-72, § N, 9-1-1972; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
(a)
Any person who engages in any business, profession or occupation in the city without a local business tax receipt or under a local business tax receipt issued upon misrepresentation of fact by the local business tax receipt holder, or failure to post or carry same as prescribed in §§ 11-5 and 11-6 of this code, shall upon conviction thereof be punished by a fine not exceeding $500, or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 60 days or both, and/or revocation of the local business tax receipt, the fine and/or imprisonment and/or revocation to be in the discretion of the county court of Lee County, Florida. Each day, or part thereof, of violation of any provisions of this chapter shall constitute a separate offense.
(b)
Any person who aids or abets or conspires with any person to engage in any business, profession or occupation in the city without a local business tax receipt or under a local business tax receipt issued upon misrepresentation of fact shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not exceeding $500 or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 60 days, or both.
(Ord. 13-82, § 1, 4-5-1982; Ord. 15-87, § 1, 4-20-1987; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
The various businesses, professions and occupations within the City of Cape Coral, Florida, are hereby classified for the purpose of this chapter and assessments of local business taxes therefor fixed as follows:
(Ord. 9-72, § P, 9-1-1972; Ord. 9-75, § 1, 3-17-1975; Ord. 45-77, §§ 1-3, 7-18-1977; Ord. 49-80, § 1, 8-14-1980; Ord. 38-81, § 2, 7-20-1981; Ord. 47-81, 8-3-1981; Ord. 41-83, § 1, 7-11-1983; Ord. 15-87, § 1, 4-20-1987; Ord. 47-94, 8-22-1994; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006; Ord. 91-07, 7-30-2007)(Ord. 9-72, § P, 9-1-1972; Ord. 9-75, § 1, 3-17-1975; Ord. 45-77, §§ 1-3, 7-18-1977; Ord. 49-80, § 1, 8-14-1980; Ord. 38-81, § 2, 7-20-1981; Ord. 47-81, 8-3-1981; Ord. 41-83, § 1, 7-11-1983; Ord. 15-87, § 1, 4-20-1987; Ord. 47-94, 8-22-1994; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006; Ord. 91-07, 7-30-2007; Ord. 31-11, 6-20-2011; Ord. 5-22, § 1, 2-2-2022)
The issuance of a local business tax receipt by the Licensing/Business Tax Division prior to compliance by local business tax receipt holder with all applicable laws, rules and regulations shall not constitute consent to or waiver by the city to noncompliance. The city may give notice to local business tax receipt holder of the noncompliance designating the noncompliance, in writing, and request the local business tax receipt holder to correct the noncompliance, in writing, by fully complying with the laws, rules or regulations with which there has been noncompliance. Upon the failure of local business tax receipt holder to correct the noncompliance within 15 days after receipt, or upon the expiration of the additional period of time the Council grants to the local business tax receipt holder, the Council may revoke or rescind the local business tax receipt.
(Ord. 9-72, § Q, 9-1-1972; Ord. 15-87, § 1, 4-20-1987; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
In amusements set forth in § 11-16(f), (g) and (n) above, in addition to payment of the business tax therein levied, the local business tax receipt holder shall make a deposit with the City Clerk in the amount determined by him or her as being reasonable to cover the cost of policing, cleaning up and removing litter, if any, left on the premises after the expiration of the local business tax receipt period and to cover damages, if any, to public property from the operation of the amusement. In the event no litter is left on the premises after the amusement performance nor damage by the operators of the amusement to public property, the deposit shall be returned to the person making the deposit, or the part of the deposit that is not required to clean up and remove the litter or repair damages, if any, to public property.
(Ord. 15-87, § 1, 4-20-1987; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
(a)
No auction sale of personal property, goods, wares or merchandise shall be conducted within the city except upon the issuance of a special permit therefor by the Department of the City Clerk and in accordance with the express terms of the special permit.
(Ord. 114-88, 11-21-1988; Ord. 87-89, 2-12-1990; Ord. 81-02, 8-26-2002)
(b)
Application for special permit to conduct an auction sale of personal property, goods, wares or merchandise within the city shall be made to the Department of the City Clerk on a form to be provided by it, upon which shall be stated the nature and quantity of the goods to be sold and the number of days during which it is desired to conduct the auction sale. The Department of the City Clerk shall issue the special permit upon the payment of a fee of $20 and upon their determination that there is good and sufficient reason for issuance of the special permit. The special permit shall specify the place where the auction sale is to be held and the number of days for which the special permit is valid. A special permit for auction sales within any of the residential areas of the city shall be issued for a maximum period of one day.
(Ord. 114-88, 11-21-1988; Ord. 87-89, 2-12-1990; Ord. 81-02, 8-26-2002)
(c)
The application for special permit for auction sales within any area of the city shall state what number of parking spaces have been made available for the auction sale, the manner in which parking has been provided and how traffic will be controlled by the applicant prior to issuance of a special permit, and an inspection will be required by the Building Official and Fire Marshal to determine whether the structure in which the auction is to be held meets code requirements.
(Ord. 114-88, 11-21-1988)
(d)
No such special permit shall be issued to any individual who has not been taxed pursuant to the provisions of F.S. §§ 468.381 et seq.
(Ord. 114-88, 11-21-1988)
The Department of the City Clerk may refuse to issue or renew the special permit or may revoke any special permit already issued for failure to comply with the requirements of the chapter. Any individual aggrieved by the action of the Department of the City Clerk in refusing to issue or renew or in revoking any such special permit shall have the right to appeal to the City Council. Upon the revocation of any such special permit by the Department of the City Clerk and the communication of the fact of the revocation to the special permit holder, and pending the decision of an appeal from the revocation by the City Council, in the event that such an appeal be taken, it shall be unlawful for any individual to conduct any sale at auction in accordance with the terms of the special permit.
(Ord. 114-88, 11-21-1988; Ord. 87-89, 2-12-1990; Ord. 81-02, 8-26-2002)
This act does not apply to the following:
(a)
Auctions conducted by the owner, or his or her attorney, or any part of the property being offered, unless the owner acquired the goods to resell at auction;
(b)
Auctions conducted under a judicial or an administrative order or sales required by law to be at auction;
(c)
Auctions conducted by a charitable, civic or religious organization, or for the organization by an auctioneer who receives no compensation;
(d)
Auctions of livestock if conducted by an auctioneer who specializes in the sale of livestock and the auction is conducted under the supervision of a livestock trade association or a governmental agency;
(e)
Auctions conducted by a trustee pursuant to a power of sale contained in a deed of trust on real property;
(f)
Auctions of collateral, sales conducted to enforce carriers' or warehouser's liens, bulk sales, sales of goods by a presenting bank following dishonor of a documentary draft, resales of rightfully rejected goods or resales conducted pursuant to law, if the auction is conducted by the owner of the lien on or interest in the goods;
(g)
Auctions conducted as a part of the sale of real property by a real estate broker, as defined in F.S. § 475.01(1)(a);
(h)
Auctions of motor vehicles among motor vehicle dealers if conducted by a local business tax receipt auctioneer;
(i)
Auctions conducted by a person enrolled in a class at an approved school of auctioneering, for the purpose of training and receiving instruction, under the direct supervision of a taxed auctioneer who is also an instructor in the school and who further assumes full and complete responsibility for the activities of the student;
(j)
Auction sales conducted at the auctioneer's regular place of business; provided, however, the regular place of business has a minimum of 25 parking spaces available for the auction sales; and
(k)
Auctions conducted by the City of Cape Coral; provided however the city provides parking and traffic control as a result of an overflow of vehicles attending the sales.
(Ord. 114-88, 11-21-1988)
The purpose of this article is to set forth regulations governing the purchase and disposition of personal property made of precious metals by dealers within the City of Cape Coral.
(Ord. 5-81, § 1, 2-23-1981)
As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires.
BULLION COINS. Fungible coins with intrinsic value greater than the numismatic value.
DEALER. Any person engaged in the business of purchasing or selling at retail or wholesale or otherwise dealing in any old, used or secondhand precious metals of any kind or description, whether with a fixed place of business or as an itinerant.
PRECIOUS METAL. Gold, silver or platinum.
(Ord. 5-81, § 2, 2-23-1981)
(a)
Any person engaged in business as a dealer shall keep a register in connection with his or her business, the register to be approved as to type and form by the Chief of Police and, at the time of each transaction, shall enter or cause to be entered therein an accurate description of the person from whom any article of personal property made of precious metal is purchased or received, and shall include in the description, but not be limited to, the name, date of birth, sex, race, place of residence and driver's license number, or, if none, other government identification numbers of the person, together with an accurate description of any article of personal property made of precious metal so purchased or received, which description may contain any mark, brand, monogram, hallmark, word or letters which may be engraved, stamped, etched or otherwise permanently marked upon the article. The description of bullion coins shall be adequate if it provides the total dollar amount of each denomination. The register shall, at all times, be available for the inspection and examination of the Chief of Police or any other person authorized by the Chief of Police to inspect the register.
(b)
Any and all persons engaged in business as a dealer shall, in keeping the register required in subsection (a) above, take the following precautions to ensure the accuracy of the personal identification required:
(1)
Require the customer, as a condition to the purchase, to sign his or her name on the registration form;
(2)
Require reasonable proof of identity which would include, but not be limited to, display of a driver's license or other governmental identification cards or certificates; and
(3)
An original right thumbprint of the seller shall be affixed to all forms maintained by dealer. The thumbprint shall only be used by the appropriate law enforcement agency to identify the person whose name appears on the record when probable cause exists that the secondhand goods are stolen.
(Ord. 101-91, 11-12-1991)
(c)
The requirements of this section are in addition to the requirements of F.S. Chapter 538.
(Ord. 101-91, 11-12-1991)
(d)
It shall be unlawful for any customer to give or display false identification to the dealer or to sign a false name.
(Ord. 5-81, § 3, 2-23-1981)
(a)
Except for the exempt transactions hereinafter provided, no articles of personal property made of precious metals shall be sold, melted, altered or otherwise disposed of by any dealer until five days have elapsed from the time the Chief of Police has had made available to him or her a copy or transcript of the register in which such articles of personal property made of precious metals are entered, and the articles shall not be transferred from within Cape Coral during the five day period of time.
(b)
The following transactions shall be exempt from the provisions of subsection (a) above:
(1)
Coins repurchased by a dealer, provided the dealer repurchases from the same person and maintains a record of the prior sale and the repurchase;
(2)
The purchase of bullion coins; and
(3)
Transactions between dealers, provided the article has been registered in accordance with this article and in the possession of any local dealer for the period set forth in subsection (a) above.
(Ord. 5-81, § 4, 2-23-1981)
All dealers shall, not later than 12:00 noon of each business day, make available to the Chief of Police or his or her representative, a full and complete copy or transcript of the register in which is entered the transactions of the preceding business day, as required by § 11-43.
(Ord. 5-81, § 5, 2-23-1981)
It shall be unlawful for any dealer to buy, take or receive, by way of purchase or exchange, any articles made of precious metals from any person under the age of 18 years.
(Ord. 5-81, § 6, 2-23-1981)
All articles of personal property made of precious metals purchased or received by dealers shall remain attached to a copy of the bill of sale and be so arranged in stock as to enable the stock to be inspected by the Police Department or any other person with the authority during the period set forth in § 11-45(a) above.
(Ord. 5-81, § 7, 2-23-1981)
All persons dealing in precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum shall have a current local business tax receipt issued by Lee County and the City of Cape Coral.
(Ord. 5-81, § 8, 2-23-1981; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
- LOCAL BUSINESS TAX
Section
Section
Section
For purposes of this chapter, the following words and terms are defined as follows.
CITY. The City of Cape Coral, Florida.
COUNCIL and CITY COUNCIL. The City Council of Cape Coral, Florida.
EMPLOYEES. In classifications wherein the fee is based on the number of employees, the number shall include the owner, president, contractor or principal person in the firm, company, corporation or association as well as each person on the payroll. Part-time employees who are employed 20 or more hours per week shall be included in the calculation of number of employees. If, at any time during the business tax year, the number of employees increases more than 50%, the Licensing/Business Tax Division should be notified and the local business tax receipt amended accordingly with any additional fees on a pro rata basis.
(Ord. 9-72, § A, 9-1-1972; Ord. 38-81, § 1, 7-20-1981; Ord. 15-87, § 1, 4-20-1987)
ENGAGED IN BUSINESS. For the purposes of this chapter, any person identified to the public, at a given location, by sign, printed matter, classified section, telephone directory or city directory, as offering services or property to the public, regardless of whether such person actually transacts any business or practices a profession, shall be considered as engaging in business and shall be liable for a local business tax receipt therefor.
LICENSING/BUSINESS TAX DIVISION. The Licensing/Business Tax Division of the Department of the City Clerk of Cape Coral, Florida.
(Ord. 86-89, 2-12-1990; Ord. 81-02, 8-26-2002)
MERCHANDISE. Any goods, wares, commodities and items offered for sale, and shall include any services or labor rendered by the seller in respect of the goods which is included in the sale price thereof.
MERCHANT. Manufacturers, distributors and all dealers in merchandise unless specifically classified otherwise in this chapter.
MERCHANT, RETAIL. Any person who sells merchandise to a consumer or for any purpose other than for resale.
MERCHANT, WHOLESALE. Any person who sells to another person merchandise for resale.
PERSON. Individuals, firms, associations, partnerships, bodies politic and corporations and the singular shall, when appropriate, include the plural and the plural, the singular. The gender referred to herein shall be male or female.
RESIDENT. Any person who has established a home (rental or ownership) within the corporate limits of the City of Cape Coral, Florida, and has lived there for a period of 30 days immediately prior to the date of application for a license or local business tax receipt, and who intends to continue as a resident of Cape Coral, Florida.
(Ord. 9-72, § A, 9-1-1972
Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
A local business tax is hereby levied upon, and shall be collected from, every person exercising the privilege of or carrying on or engaging in or managing any business, profession or occupation herein enumerated, as fixed hereinafter. Each of the amounts, unless otherwise stated, shall be the amount or amounts payable as a local business tax for exercising the privilege of carrying on or engaging in the business, profession or occupation. It shall be unlawful for any person to carry on or engage in any business, profession or occupation unless expressly exempt therefrom by law or this chapter, without having paid the local business tax, as provided in this chapter, and otherwise complied with the terms thereof. The procurement of an appropriate local business tax receipt, subsequent to the date of citation for failure to obtain an appropriate local business tax receipt, shall not operate to mitigate or diminish the fine for failing to obtain the local business tax receipt prior to citation. When a business tax is required by persons employed by any business, the owner of the business is required to advise the Licensing/BusinessTax Division, in writing, of the names and addresses of the employees. This requirement applies to currently employed persons, as well as persons subsequently employed.
(Ord. 9-72, § B, 9-1-1972; Ord. 46-81, § 1, 8-3-1981; Ord. 15-87, § 1, 4-20-1987; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
(a)
General. Local business tax receipts shall be issued by the License/Business Tax Division of the City Clerk beginning on September 1 of each year and shall be due and payable on or before September 30 of each year and shall expire on September 30 of the succeeding year. In the event that September 30 falls on a weekend or holiday, the tax shall be due and payable on or before the first working day following September 30. If a business, profession or occupation is commenced after September 30, the business tax for the current year must be paid prior to commencing the business, profession or occupation.
(Ord. 58-93, 9-27-1993; Ord. 81-02, 8-26-2002)
(b)
Transferable.
(1)
Local business tax receipts, except professional (such as doctors, lawyers and the like) and personal (such as barbers, agents and the like) issued by the City of Cape Coral shall be transferable, where a bona fide sale of business is made upon compliance with the following conditions: an application must be filed with the Licensing/Business Tax Division on a form to be prescribed by the city and executed by the present receipt holder as transferor and the proposed new holder as transferee, and payment to the Licensing/Business Tax Division, at the time of filing of the application for transfer, of a transfer fee of $3. If the transfer is approved, the fee will be retained by the city, but if the transfer is denied, said transfer fee will be refunded. If the application for transfer is not executed by the transferee, the application for local business tax receipt will be treated as a new business and the appropriate charge will be levied.
(2)
Upon presentation of the original local business tax receipt, any local business tax receipt may be transferred from one location to another location within the city upon payment of a transfer fee of $3.
(3)
Upon written request and presentation of the original local business tax receipt, any receipt holder may have the name of the business changed provided the ownership and location remain the same, upon the payment of a fee of $3.
(4)
Associates, who individually pay a local business tax, in any business transferring the business tax receipt by virtue of a sale of the business, relocation or name change shall be charged a fee of $3 for the issuance of an amended local business tax receipt to reflect the change.
(Ord. 9-72, § C, 9-1-1972; Ord. 9-A-72, § 1, 8-13-1973; Ord. 89-76, § 1, 11-1-1976; Ord. 44-77, § 1, 7-18-1977; Ord. 38-80, § 1, 8-18-1980; Ord. 77-80, § 1, 1-5-1981; Ord. 46-81, § 2, 8-3-1981; Ord. 15-87, § 1, 4-20-1987; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
When a business, profession or occupation requiring a business tax is started after the first quarter of a fiscal year, the tax will be computed on a quarterly basis.
(Ord. 9-72, § D, 9-1-1972; Ord. 9A-72, § 1, 8-13-1973; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
Every person engaged in a business, profession or occupation subject to the provisions of this chapter, which business, profession or occupation is conducted at or from a fixed placed of business in the City of Cape Coral, Florida, shall keep the local business tax receipt issued therefor posted in a conspicuous place upon the taxed item or in the premises at or from which the business is conducted.
(Ord. 9-72, § E, 9-1-1972; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
Every person engaged in any business, profession or occupation subject to the provisions of this chapter, but not operating from a fixed place of business within the city, shall keep the local business tax receipt issued therefor upon his or her person and, in the event the business is conducted from a vehicle, in a conspicuous place in or on the vehicle at all times while engaged in the business for which it is issued.
(Ord. 9-72, § F, 9-1-1972; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
The business taxes imposed by this chapter shall not be construed to exempt the property used in the taxed business from other forms of taxation.
(Ord. 9-72, § G, 9-1-1972; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
(a)
Vehicles used by any person taxed under F.S. Chapter 205 for the sale and delivery of tangible personal property at either wholesale or retail from his or her place of business on which business tax is paid;
(Ord. 58-93, 9-27-1993)
(b)
Disabled persons, the aged, and widows with minor dependents, subject to the limitations contained in F.S. § 205.162;
(Ord. 58-93, 9-27-1993)
(c)
Disabled war veterans and their unremarried spouses, subject to the limitations contained in F.S. § 205.171; and
(d)
Charitable, religious, fraternal and service organizations, subject to the limitations contained in F.S. § 205.192.
(Ord. 58-93, 9-27-1993)
(Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
(a)
Each person required to pay a business tax by this chapter shall report, under oath, to the Licensing/Business Tax Division giving all the information necessary for a proper determination of the amount of the business tax payable. In the case of retail and wholesale merchants, manufacturers and distributors, the report shall show the total square footage, including space used for display (except sidewalk), washrooms, offices, storage, assembly, preparation and/or growing for sale, sales area and the like.
(b)
The Licensing/Business Tax Division is authorized to furnish forms for filing of the report or returns and to require the applicant for local business tax receipt to furnish information necessary for the Licensing/Business Tax Division to make a determination of the proper business tax payable, and to make investigation and inspection of the place of business and the records of the business as he or she may deem necessary to verify or determine the amount of business tax payable.
(Ord. 9-72, § 1, 9-1-1972; Ord. 15-87, § 1, 4-20-1987; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
Any person operating a business for which a local business tax receipt is required at more than one location, each separate location shall be considered a separate business and a separate local business tax receipt required for each location, unless otherwise provided in this chapter.
(Ord. 9-72, § J, 9-1-1972; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
Whenever a business falls into two or more classifications contained in the business tax schedule, the business must comply with the requirements of each classification, except that a business tax shall be paid only in respect to the primary or main business unless otherwise specified in the business tax schedule.
(Ord. 9-72, § K, 9-1-1972; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
(a)
Those local business tax receipts not renewed by September 30 shall be considered delinquent and subject to a delinquency penalty of 10% for the month of October plus an additional 5% penalty for each month of delinquency thereafter until paid; provided, that the total delinquency penalty shall not exceed 25% of the business tax for the delinquent establishment.
(b)
Any person engaging in or managing any business, professional or occupation without first obtaining a local business tax receipt, if required hereunder, shall be subject to a penalty of 25% of the business tax determined to be due, in addition to any other penalty provided by law or ordinance.
(Ord. 9-72, § 1, 9-1-1972; Ord. 9A-72, § 1, 8-13-1973; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
Every person who applies for a local business tax receipt to engage in any business, profession or occupation shall, prior to receiving a local business tax receipt, present evidence satisfactory to the Business Tax Division Clerk of compliance with all applicable state laws in respect to engaging in the business, profession or occupation; and that the premises upon which the business will be operated complies with all zoning and other city ordinances.
(Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
Any local business tax receipt obtained under the provisions of this chapter upon a misrepresentation of a material fact; or conviction of the licensee for violation of the criminal law of Florida in connection with the operation of the business for which the city has issued a local business tax receipt; or failure of local business tax receipt holder to comply immediately with county Health Department rules and regulations, after being notified by the county Health Department that the local business tax receipt holder and/or his or her premises or business does not so comply, the City Council may, in its discretion, after giving the local business tax receipt holder 15 days notice in writing in which to show cause why the local business tax receipt should not be terminated, terminate the same. In the event a local business tax receipt is terminated for either of the above reasons, the local business tax receipt holder shall not be entitled to a return of any part of the local business tax paid.
(Ord. 9-72, § N, 9-1-1972; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
(a)
Any person who engages in any business, profession or occupation in the city without a local business tax receipt or under a local business tax receipt issued upon misrepresentation of fact by the local business tax receipt holder, or failure to post or carry same as prescribed in §§ 11-5 and 11-6 of this code, shall upon conviction thereof be punished by a fine not exceeding $500, or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 60 days or both, and/or revocation of the local business tax receipt, the fine and/or imprisonment and/or revocation to be in the discretion of the county court of Lee County, Florida. Each day, or part thereof, of violation of any provisions of this chapter shall constitute a separate offense.
(b)
Any person who aids or abets or conspires with any person to engage in any business, profession or occupation in the city without a local business tax receipt or under a local business tax receipt issued upon misrepresentation of fact shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not exceeding $500 or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 60 days, or both.
(Ord. 13-82, § 1, 4-5-1982; Ord. 15-87, § 1, 4-20-1987; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
The various businesses, professions and occupations within the City of Cape Coral, Florida, are hereby classified for the purpose of this chapter and assessments of local business taxes therefor fixed as follows:
(Ord. 9-72, § P, 9-1-1972; Ord. 9-75, § 1, 3-17-1975; Ord. 45-77, §§ 1-3, 7-18-1977; Ord. 49-80, § 1, 8-14-1980; Ord. 38-81, § 2, 7-20-1981; Ord. 47-81, 8-3-1981; Ord. 41-83, § 1, 7-11-1983; Ord. 15-87, § 1, 4-20-1987; Ord. 47-94, 8-22-1994; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006; Ord. 91-07, 7-30-2007)(Ord. 9-72, § P, 9-1-1972; Ord. 9-75, § 1, 3-17-1975; Ord. 45-77, §§ 1-3, 7-18-1977; Ord. 49-80, § 1, 8-14-1980; Ord. 38-81, § 2, 7-20-1981; Ord. 47-81, 8-3-1981; Ord. 41-83, § 1, 7-11-1983; Ord. 15-87, § 1, 4-20-1987; Ord. 47-94, 8-22-1994; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006; Ord. 91-07, 7-30-2007; Ord. 31-11, 6-20-2011; Ord. 5-22, § 1, 2-2-2022)
The issuance of a local business tax receipt by the Licensing/Business Tax Division prior to compliance by local business tax receipt holder with all applicable laws, rules and regulations shall not constitute consent to or waiver by the city to noncompliance. The city may give notice to local business tax receipt holder of the noncompliance designating the noncompliance, in writing, and request the local business tax receipt holder to correct the noncompliance, in writing, by fully complying with the laws, rules or regulations with which there has been noncompliance. Upon the failure of local business tax receipt holder to correct the noncompliance within 15 days after receipt, or upon the expiration of the additional period of time the Council grants to the local business tax receipt holder, the Council may revoke or rescind the local business tax receipt.
(Ord. 9-72, § Q, 9-1-1972; Ord. 15-87, § 1, 4-20-1987; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
In amusements set forth in § 11-16(f), (g) and (n) above, in addition to payment of the business tax therein levied, the local business tax receipt holder shall make a deposit with the City Clerk in the amount determined by him or her as being reasonable to cover the cost of policing, cleaning up and removing litter, if any, left on the premises after the expiration of the local business tax receipt period and to cover damages, if any, to public property from the operation of the amusement. In the event no litter is left on the premises after the amusement performance nor damage by the operators of the amusement to public property, the deposit shall be returned to the person making the deposit, or the part of the deposit that is not required to clean up and remove the litter or repair damages, if any, to public property.
(Ord. 15-87, § 1, 4-20-1987; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)
(a)
No auction sale of personal property, goods, wares or merchandise shall be conducted within the city except upon the issuance of a special permit therefor by the Department of the City Clerk and in accordance with the express terms of the special permit.
(Ord. 114-88, 11-21-1988; Ord. 87-89, 2-12-1990; Ord. 81-02, 8-26-2002)
(b)
Application for special permit to conduct an auction sale of personal property, goods, wares or merchandise within the city shall be made to the Department of the City Clerk on a form to be provided by it, upon which shall be stated the nature and quantity of the goods to be sold and the number of days during which it is desired to conduct the auction sale. The Department of the City Clerk shall issue the special permit upon the payment of a fee of $20 and upon their determination that there is good and sufficient reason for issuance of the special permit. The special permit shall specify the place where the auction sale is to be held and the number of days for which the special permit is valid. A special permit for auction sales within any of the residential areas of the city shall be issued for a maximum period of one day.
(Ord. 114-88, 11-21-1988; Ord. 87-89, 2-12-1990; Ord. 81-02, 8-26-2002)
(c)
The application for special permit for auction sales within any area of the city shall state what number of parking spaces have been made available for the auction sale, the manner in which parking has been provided and how traffic will be controlled by the applicant prior to issuance of a special permit, and an inspection will be required by the Building Official and Fire Marshal to determine whether the structure in which the auction is to be held meets code requirements.
(Ord. 114-88, 11-21-1988)
(d)
No such special permit shall be issued to any individual who has not been taxed pursuant to the provisions of F.S. §§ 468.381 et seq.
(Ord. 114-88, 11-21-1988)
The Department of the City Clerk may refuse to issue or renew the special permit or may revoke any special permit already issued for failure to comply with the requirements of the chapter. Any individual aggrieved by the action of the Department of the City Clerk in refusing to issue or renew or in revoking any such special permit shall have the right to appeal to the City Council. Upon the revocation of any such special permit by the Department of the City Clerk and the communication of the fact of the revocation to the special permit holder, and pending the decision of an appeal from the revocation by the City Council, in the event that such an appeal be taken, it shall be unlawful for any individual to conduct any sale at auction in accordance with the terms of the special permit.
(Ord. 114-88, 11-21-1988; Ord. 87-89, 2-12-1990; Ord. 81-02, 8-26-2002)
This act does not apply to the following:
(a)
Auctions conducted by the owner, or his or her attorney, or any part of the property being offered, unless the owner acquired the goods to resell at auction;
(b)
Auctions conducted under a judicial or an administrative order or sales required by law to be at auction;
(c)
Auctions conducted by a charitable, civic or religious organization, or for the organization by an auctioneer who receives no compensation;
(d)
Auctions of livestock if conducted by an auctioneer who specializes in the sale of livestock and the auction is conducted under the supervision of a livestock trade association or a governmental agency;
(e)
Auctions conducted by a trustee pursuant to a power of sale contained in a deed of trust on real property;
(f)
Auctions of collateral, sales conducted to enforce carriers' or warehouser's liens, bulk sales, sales of goods by a presenting bank following dishonor of a documentary draft, resales of rightfully rejected goods or resales conducted pursuant to law, if the auction is conducted by the owner of the lien on or interest in the goods;
(g)
Auctions conducted as a part of the sale of real property by a real estate broker, as defined in F.S. § 475.01(1)(a);
(h)
Auctions of motor vehicles among motor vehicle dealers if conducted by a local business tax receipt auctioneer;
(i)
Auctions conducted by a person enrolled in a class at an approved school of auctioneering, for the purpose of training and receiving instruction, under the direct supervision of a taxed auctioneer who is also an instructor in the school and who further assumes full and complete responsibility for the activities of the student;
(j)
Auction sales conducted at the auctioneer's regular place of business; provided, however, the regular place of business has a minimum of 25 parking spaces available for the auction sales; and
(k)
Auctions conducted by the City of Cape Coral; provided however the city provides parking and traffic control as a result of an overflow of vehicles attending the sales.
(Ord. 114-88, 11-21-1988)
The purpose of this article is to set forth regulations governing the purchase and disposition of personal property made of precious metals by dealers within the City of Cape Coral.
(Ord. 5-81, § 1, 2-23-1981)
As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires.
BULLION COINS. Fungible coins with intrinsic value greater than the numismatic value.
DEALER. Any person engaged in the business of purchasing or selling at retail or wholesale or otherwise dealing in any old, used or secondhand precious metals of any kind or description, whether with a fixed place of business or as an itinerant.
PRECIOUS METAL. Gold, silver or platinum.
(Ord. 5-81, § 2, 2-23-1981)
(a)
Any person engaged in business as a dealer shall keep a register in connection with his or her business, the register to be approved as to type and form by the Chief of Police and, at the time of each transaction, shall enter or cause to be entered therein an accurate description of the person from whom any article of personal property made of precious metal is purchased or received, and shall include in the description, but not be limited to, the name, date of birth, sex, race, place of residence and driver's license number, or, if none, other government identification numbers of the person, together with an accurate description of any article of personal property made of precious metal so purchased or received, which description may contain any mark, brand, monogram, hallmark, word or letters which may be engraved, stamped, etched or otherwise permanently marked upon the article. The description of bullion coins shall be adequate if it provides the total dollar amount of each denomination. The register shall, at all times, be available for the inspection and examination of the Chief of Police or any other person authorized by the Chief of Police to inspect the register.
(b)
Any and all persons engaged in business as a dealer shall, in keeping the register required in subsection (a) above, take the following precautions to ensure the accuracy of the personal identification required:
(1)
Require the customer, as a condition to the purchase, to sign his or her name on the registration form;
(2)
Require reasonable proof of identity which would include, but not be limited to, display of a driver's license or other governmental identification cards or certificates; and
(3)
An original right thumbprint of the seller shall be affixed to all forms maintained by dealer. The thumbprint shall only be used by the appropriate law enforcement agency to identify the person whose name appears on the record when probable cause exists that the secondhand goods are stolen.
(Ord. 101-91, 11-12-1991)
(c)
The requirements of this section are in addition to the requirements of F.S. Chapter 538.
(Ord. 101-91, 11-12-1991)
(d)
It shall be unlawful for any customer to give or display false identification to the dealer or to sign a false name.
(Ord. 5-81, § 3, 2-23-1981)
(a)
Except for the exempt transactions hereinafter provided, no articles of personal property made of precious metals shall be sold, melted, altered or otherwise disposed of by any dealer until five days have elapsed from the time the Chief of Police has had made available to him or her a copy or transcript of the register in which such articles of personal property made of precious metals are entered, and the articles shall not be transferred from within Cape Coral during the five day period of time.
(b)
The following transactions shall be exempt from the provisions of subsection (a) above:
(1)
Coins repurchased by a dealer, provided the dealer repurchases from the same person and maintains a record of the prior sale and the repurchase;
(2)
The purchase of bullion coins; and
(3)
Transactions between dealers, provided the article has been registered in accordance with this article and in the possession of any local dealer for the period set forth in subsection (a) above.
(Ord. 5-81, § 4, 2-23-1981)
All dealers shall, not later than 12:00 noon of each business day, make available to the Chief of Police or his or her representative, a full and complete copy or transcript of the register in which is entered the transactions of the preceding business day, as required by § 11-43.
(Ord. 5-81, § 5, 2-23-1981)
It shall be unlawful for any dealer to buy, take or receive, by way of purchase or exchange, any articles made of precious metals from any person under the age of 18 years.
(Ord. 5-81, § 6, 2-23-1981)
All articles of personal property made of precious metals purchased or received by dealers shall remain attached to a copy of the bill of sale and be so arranged in stock as to enable the stock to be inspected by the Police Department or any other person with the authority during the period set forth in § 11-45(a) above.
(Ord. 5-81, § 7, 2-23-1981)
All persons dealing in precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum shall have a current local business tax receipt issued by Lee County and the City of Cape Coral.
(Ord. 5-81, § 8, 2-23-1981; Ord. 169-06, 12-11-2006)